Protective film application kit and method

ABSTRACT

A kit apparatus has a molded support card holding a plurality of film sheets each having an adhesive layer on one side, a spray bottle containing a cleaning and activating solution enabled for activating the adhesive layers of the film sheets, and a squeegee. The film sheets are secured within a first pocket in the support card, the squeegee secured within a second pocket in the support card, and the spray bottle is secured within a recess in the support card. Plural tabs extend over the recess for holding the spray bottle securely within the recess.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1, Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to protective film overlays on glasssurfaces and more particularly to a kit and method of use for enablingthe installation of such a film on the electronic displays of cellphones and the like.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Warman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,588, discloses a viewing screen protectiveshield that is removably securable in association with a viewing screen,such as LCR screens, as found in fish finders and the like, which aretypically exposed to adverse weather conditions. The protective shieldis readily removable and replaceable and include convex peripheral edgesto conform the shield to the convex screen with an outwardly extendingtab formed outwardly of a single corner of the shield to enhance manualgrasping thereof. To enhance securement of the shield to the associatedscreen, a plurality of transparent adhesive strips may be secured to aninterior surface of the shield to enhance securement of the transparentshield to the associated screen. Bilkadi et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,677,050, discloses a retroreflective sheeting having anabrasion-resistant ceramer coating that is prepared from about 20% toabout 80% ethylenically unsaturated monomers; about 10% to about 50% ofacrylate functionalized colloidal silica; and about 5% to about 40%N,N-disubstituted acrylamide or N-substituted-N-vinyl-amide monomerhaving a molecular weight between 99 and 500 atomic mass units; whereinthe percentages are weight percents of the total weight of the coating.A method of coating retroreflective sheeting with an abrasion-resistantcured ceramer layer is also disclosed. Schroeder et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,820,957, discloses an anti-reflective film construction that containsan optically transparent polymeric film having a textured surface and anoptically transparent adhesive, the film construction configured toexhibit light transmission of greater than about 70 percent and 60degree gloss measurement of between about 15 and 100. Methods ofproducing such film constructions and methods of reducing reflectionfrom a surface are also described. Murakami, U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,765,discloses an antiglare sheet for use with a display of a portable gamemachine that includes a film element serving as an antiglare film; anadhesive element adapted to affix the film element to a display screen;and a ventilation opening adapted to ventilate a space defined by thedisplay screen and the film element. Kollaja et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,613,411, discloses a multi-layer sheet material that comprises a film,and adhesive layer and an optional release liner. The film is apolyester blend comprising first and second polyesters that aresubstantially amorphous and possess certain physical propertiesincluding softening temperature, E-modulus, elongation and residualstress. Masaki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,714, discloses a protectivediffusion film, which does not scratch a lens film and a liquid crystaldisplay device, does not become a refuse source or the like, and alsohas a suitable level of concealment effect, a process for producing thesame, a surface light source device, and a liquid crystal displaydevice. This protective diffusion film is used in a surface light sourcedevice provided with a lens film wherein the protective diffusion filmis provided on a light outgoing surface of the lens film, and comprises:a transparent substrate layer; and a protective diffusion layer which isprovided on the transparent substrate layer in its surface at least onthe lens film side, has fine concaves and convexes on its surface,protects members which come into contact with the protective diffusionfilm, and is light diffusive. Liu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,190,discloses an antisoiling hardcoated film comprising a substantiallytransparent substrate, a hardcoat layer comprising inorganic oxideparticles dispersed in a binder matrix, and an antisoiling layercomprising a perfluoropolyether. The antisoiling layer can be very thin,thus reducing the cost of the perfluoropolyether. The film has very goodscratch, smudge and glare resistance and very good interlayer adhesionand durability. The film can be in the form of a single flexiblesubstrate or a stack of such substrates. The film or stack can be sizedto fit the display screen of an electronic display device such as apersonal digital assistant or cell phone. Gomes, U.S. Pat. No.6,878,425, discloses a polarized filter film having a plurality oflight-filtering layers, each having a different polarization apertureand tint hue that can be selectively combined to form a polarized filterfilm having a combined opacity rating of 5% to 55% when applied to atransparent medium such as a window. The combined polarized filter filmis comprised of a plurality of layers of light-filtering materialwherein each layer has a plurality of apertures positioned eithervertically or angularly so that the horizontal rays associated withglare are reduced dramatically. Each layer of film has a plurality ofslotted apertures that is biased or offset from the overlayinglight-filtering film apertures whereby varying degrees of light-blockingproperties can be achieved by using the light-filtering films inconjunction with additional layers. The present invention is attached tothe transparent medium by using an adhesive which has a removableprotective backing layer. Sherman, EP 0539099, discloses arepositionable, self-adhering optical laminate having a thin filmoptical coating, an organic hardcoat, a thin plastic film substrate, anoptical quality, pressure sensitive adhesive and, preferably, a releaseliner. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is low modulus, self-wettingelastomer which readily wets glass and plastic surfaces such as videodisplay screens, promoting bubble-free mounting. The adhesive has lowtack so that bubbles can be removed easily and the laminate can betotally or partially removed and reapplied to correct its positioningand/or to remove bubbles, dirt, etc.

The related art described above discloses a variety of films andcoatings for mechanical protection of underlying surfaces, foranti-reflection and for UV protection. However, the prior art fails todisclose a compact kit providing the materials and tools necessary forapplying such a film to a surface. The present disclosure distinguishesover the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as describedin the following summary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use whichgive rise to the objectives described below.

The types of surfaces that the present invention is designed to protectare any of the electronic displays known in the art such as for cellphones, computers, calculators and the like. Such displays are subjectto scratches and the accumulation of debris such as dust and dirt ofvarious kinds. In normal use, these displays tend to be scratched whentouched, and may be scratched during cleaning as well. Therefore, it isdesirable to apply a protective sheet over such display screens.However, such devices are not commonly provided with such protectivelayers and users are not equipped or skilled in the practice of applyingsuch protective sheets. Therefore, the present invention is designed toprovide the materials, tools and instructions for enabling a person toapply a protective layer to electronic display screens. The invention isprovided as a kit of materials and tools. It is provided with a moldedsupport card holding a plurality of film sheets each having an adhesivelayer on one side, a spray bottle containing a cleaning and activatingsolution enabled for activating the adhesive layers of the film sheets,and a squeegee. The film sheets are secured within a first pocket in thesupport card, the squeegee secured within a second pocket in the supportcard, and the spray bottle is secured within a recess in the supportcard. Plural tabs extend over the recess for holding the spray bottlesecurely within the recess.

A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and methodof use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide all of the items necessary to apply aprotective sheet over an electronic display.

A further objective is to provide such a kit that may be used at leastseveral times and has a support card that is useful for retail displayas well as for storing the materials and tools necessary to accomplishits task.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the presently described apparatus and methodof its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the bestmode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the presently described apparatusshowing the items included in exploded manner;

FIG. 2 is a frontal elevational view thereof as assembled;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a surface preparation step in usingthe present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a surface protecting step in usingthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatusand its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best modeembodiment, which is further defined in detail in the followingdescription. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to makealterations and modifications what is described herein without departingfrom its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what isillustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that itshould not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the presentapparatus and method of use.

Described now in detail is a kit apparatus providing the materials andtools necessary for applying a protective film sheet to an electronicdisplay surface 5. The kit apparatus includes a molded support card 10preferably made by vacuum molding of polyethylene plastic sheet materialas shown in FIG. 1. The card 10 provides two pockets 12 and 14 separatedby a molded recess 16.

At least one, but preferably, a plurality of film sheets 20 are securedwithin a first one of the pockets 12. These sheets 20 are preferably cutto the exact size of the electronic display screen they are to bemarried to so that no cutting and fitting steps are necessary in usingthe kit. The sheets 20 are made of an optically clear film of a hard andscratch resistant type such as polyurethane or polycarbonate and arepreferably between one and five thousandths of an inch in thickness,wherein such a thickness range provides the required flexibility anddurability necessary to the present application. Film thicknesses belowone thousandths of an inch are subject to tearing, while those filmsthat are thicker than five thousandths of an inch tend to be too rigidfor the present application so that they tend to lift from the surfacein use due to thermal expansion of the film relative to the display. Thesheets 20 are coated on one side with an adhesive 22 that is activatedby a solution; preferably alcohol. Such alcohol activated adhesives arevery well known in the art.

A miniature spray bottle 30 containing a cleaning and activatingsolution 32 is secured within the molded recess 16. Such miniature spraybottles 30 are well known in the art. The solution 32 is preferablyalcohol, a substance that is environmentally friendly, is a gooddegreasing agent and is capable of working well with the adhesivematerial on the film sheets 20, i.e., for activation. Other combinationsof adhesive and solution such as a water soluable adhesive and water inthe spray bottle 30 my be used in place of alcohol, however, alcohol hasbeen found to provide superior results.

A miniature squeegee 40 is secured within a second one of the pockets14. Such a squeegee 40 is quite small and preferably with a blade 42 ofnot more than one inch in length. This is necessary in order to assurethat the blade 42 fits onto the display surface, which in many devicesis recessed.

Preferably plural tabs 18 extend over the recess 16 in positions forholding the spray bottle 30 securely within the recess 16.

Described now in detail is a method for the installation of the filmsheet onto an electronic display 5. At least one film sheet 20 isprovided as well as the spray bottle 30 containing the cleaning andactivating solution 32 and a squeegee 40. The cleaning and activatingsolution 32 is sprayed onto the electronic display 5 and is then wipedoff from the electronic display 5 with the squeegee 40. Next, thecleaning and activating solution 32 is sprayed onto the electronicdisplay 5 again and the film sheet 20 is placed onto the electronicdisplay 5 with an adhesive layer 22 of the film sheet 20 in contact withthe electronic display 5 as shown in FIG. 3. The film sheet 20 ispositioned on the electronic display 5 for mutual registration andalignment, and, while holding the film 20 in place manually the cleaningand activating solution is pressed out from between the film sheet 22and the electronic display 5 using the squeegee 40 for applying pressureon an outer surface 24 of the film sheet 20.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over theprior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of atleast one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to theachievement of the above described objectives. The words used in thisspecification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understoodnot only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to includeby special definition in this specification: structure, material or actsbeyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an elementcan be understood in the context of this specification as including morethan one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic toall possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word orwords describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein aremeant to include not only the combination of elements which areliterally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts forperforming substantially the same function in substantially the same wayto obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is thereforecontemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements maybe made for any one of the elements described and its variousembodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or moreelements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person withordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expresslycontemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and itsvarious embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later knownto one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scopeof the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understoodto include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what isconceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and alsowhat incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunctionwith the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each namedinventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended tobe patented.

1. A kit apparatus comprising: a molded support card; a plurality offilm sheets of a tough optically clear material between one and fivethousandths of an inch in thickness, each having an adhesive layer onone side thereof; a spray bottle containing a cleaning and activatingsolution enabled for activating the adhesive layers of the film sheets;and a squeegee having a blade of not more than one inch in length; thefilm sheets secured within a first pocket in the support card, thesqueegee secured within a second pocket in the support card, and thespray bottle secured within a recess in the support card, plural tabsextending over the recess in positions for holding the spray bottlesecurely within the recess.
 2. A combination electronic display and akit apparatus for protecting the electronic is display, the combinationcomprising: a) an electronic display having a surface for beingprotected; and b) a molded support card containing a plurality of filmsheets of a tough optically clear material between one and fivethousandths of an inch in thickness, each having an adhesive layer onone side thereof, the sheets being the exact size of the surface of theelectronic display; a spray bottle containing a cleaning and activatingsolution enabled for activating the adhesive layers of the film sheets;and a squeegee having a blade of a length capable of fitting on thedisplay.
 3. A method for the installation of a film sheet onto anelectronic display comprising the steps of: a) providing at least onefilm sheet with an adhesive layer on one side thereof; a spray bottlecontaining a cleaning and activating solution; and a squeegee; b)spraying the cleaning and activating solution onto the electronicdisplay; c) wiping the cleaning and activating solution from theelectronic display with the squeegee; d) repeating the spraying of thecleaning and activating solution onto the electronic display; e) placingthe film sheet onto the electronic display with the adhesive layer ofthe film sheet in contact with the electronic display; f) moving thefilm sheet into a position on the electronic display for mutualregistration therewith; and g) holding the film sheet in place manuallywhile dispersing the cleaning and activating solution from between thefilm sheet and the electronic display using the squeegee for applyingpressure on an outer surface of the film sheet.